Letting the landscape inspire them, Guckian and the four dancers - Liam Taylor, Jack Hughes and Lillie and Anna Crossley, all of whom have been studying with her for seven years – stepped and tapped through till sunset.

“Lots of our dancing friends around the world were marking International Dance Day in their own exciting ways and we wanted to put our own stamp on it and do something special for Leitrim and for Ireland,” Guckian said.

They definitely succeeded, don’t you agree?

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2016-11-24T00:00:00-05:00http://www.irishcentral.com/culture/craic/irish-dancers-try-the-mannequin-challenge-taking-the-internet-by-storm-videosIrish dancers try the mannequin challenge taking the internet by storm (VIDEOS)2016-11-26T06:54:45-05:00
Irish dancers are having a go at the mannequin challenge, the newest internet obsession sweeping across the nation.

The goal of the challenge, which has dominated social media the past month, is to remain frozen in action like a mannequin while a video is recorded — typically with music, usually Rae Sremmurd’s “Black Beatles” song, playing in the background.

The internet trend, which is believed to have been started by a group of teenagers in Florida mid-October, has since gone viral, with people posting videos with increasingly complex and elaborate set ups. Celebrities, professional athletes, and even politicians have taken up the challenge in past weeks.

The Tamora School of Irish Dance in California and the Murphy Irish Arts Center in Ohio have posted their mannequin challenge videos online.

Watch their videos to see how they successfully mastered the challenge.

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2016-11-20T11:18:00-05:00http://www.irishcentral.com/culture/entertainment/irish-dancers-take-over-new-york-city-landmarks-videoIrish dancers take over New York City landmarks (VIDEO)2016-11-04T09:35:44-04:00
They’re Irish dancing in Washington Square Park, Union Square, Times Square, Bryant Park!

A cast of over 80 Irish dancers aspiring to turn professional feature in a Irish dance flash mob compilation called 'Mission2Manhattan.' The choreography, a mix of Irish dance and influences from other styles, wowed passers-by in New York City.

The enthusiastic young dancers are all part of Studio2Stage, which gathers together Irish dancers, musicians and singers who want to break into the touring show industry.

The video is directed by Chris Naish, the Creative Director of the Fusion Fighters dance and music team famous in Britain after their spectacular flash mob appearances in Trafalgar Square and Oxford.

The Lord of the Dance, 58, retired earlier this year after 25 years as a professional Irish dancer. The Chicago-born Flatley forever changed the world of Irish dance, helping to make it cool, contemporary and flashy with pioneering shows such as "Riverdance," "Lord of the Dance" and "Feet of Flames." In 1989, at age 31, he set a Guinness World Record for foot-tapping at a mind-boggling 28 taps per second, and went on to break his own record nine years later in 1998 with 35 taps per second.

But for the Daily Mail, he’s now just another piece of meat gone past its prime.

“Lord of the sweatpants: Retired Michael Flatley looks unrecognizable as he struggles up off a step... after revealing dancing 'wrecked his body” the headline reads.

The article consists mainly of paparazzi photos of a tracksuit-clad Flatley chatting on the phone while he sits on a stoop in London.

“It is mere months since he took to the stage for the last time to wow his avid fans with his dance skills. And Michael Flatley seems to have fully settled into his retirement,” it begins, later adding that “his years of pounding the stage appeared to have caught up with him.”

The writer then goes into ludicrous detail, accompanied by photos, about how the Irish American dancer seemed to struggle to stand up, shockingly resting one of his hands on the steps behind him as a support.

Adding insult to injury, the article then proceeds to quote a previous Daily Mail interview with Flatley in which he opened up about the toll a quarter-century of professional dancing took on his body.

“I am always in pain. Agony. Every morning my poor wife [Niamh O'Brien] has to witness me spending the first few minutes of the day trying to straighten my back and push my legs to start working.

“I’ve wrecked my body with dance. I can’t say I wasn’t warned and I can’t say I haven’t loved every single minute of putting myself into this state.

“But physically I’m a mess. I have a recurring broken bone in my right foot which just spontaneously breaks itself. My hamstrings are ruined, my groin is gone and I’ve done irreparable damage to two points of my spine.”

You look great, Michael, don’t listen to them.

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2016-11-04T04:46:00-04:00http://www.irishcentral.com/culture/entertainment/irish-dancers-perform-with-the-most-beautiful-backdrop-youll-ever-see-videoIrish dancers perform with the most beautiful backdrop you’ll ever see (VIDEO)2016-10-28T05:08:06-04:00
This may just be the most beautiful place we’ve ever seen Irish dance performed.

As incredible as it is to see dancers on stage, or to see a professional show with lavish sets and costumes, the Taylor Scallon School of Irish Dance provide us with two of the best things about Ireland in this video: our own traditional dance performed by a talented young group and epic Irish cliff-top views.

Despite the rather murky, dull weather, the school, based in Belfast and Armagh, took to the Slieve League cliffs after finishing a three-week residential Irish language and dance course in Coláiste Aoidh Mhic Bhricne in Teelin, Co. Donegal, wowing tourists with their new steps.

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2016-10-28T05:08:00-04:00http://www.irishcentral.com/culture/craic/check-out-this-irish-dance-off-between-two-lads-on-inishturk-island-videoCheck out this Irish dance-off between two lads on Inishturk island (VIDEO)2016-10-28T08:52:54-04:00Inishturk island is in all the headlines this year, with unhappy US citizens, fearful of the prospect of a Donald Trump presidency, rushing to take the island’s residents up on their offer of a new place to call home in the now unlikely event of the GOP candidate coming out on top.

If the thought of living on a tranquil, idyllic isle off the coast of Co. Mayo wasn’t enough to lure you to Inishturk, however, this dance-off video is sure to show you exactly why we should all be making the nine-mile passage across the water.

Although originally filmed in 2012, a video of two Irish dancers battling it out in an incredible fashion has resurfaced and is making us extremely jealous of all the craic we could be having.

Now shared over 45,000 times, the video shows the two dancers in rip-roaring competition, showing off their signature moves in between their traditional steps. Shot in the Inishturk Island Community Center, it’s Irish dance at its best and the kind of once-in-a-lifetime session you can only dream of stumbling across one day.

Enjoy!

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2016-10-28T04:14:00-04:00http://www.irishcentral.com/culture/craic/irish-dancers-amaze-crowds-at-the-great-wall-of-china-videoIrish dancers amaze crowds at the Great Wall of China (VIDEO)2016-10-28T08:52:53-04:00
The Great Wall of China typically goes Irish once per year, as one of the famous monuments that participates in Tourism Ireland’s global greening St. Patrick’s Day initiative.

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2016-10-25T04:25:00-04:00http://www.irishcentral.com/culture/entertainment/irish-hard-shoe-dancing-like-youve-never-seen-it-videoIrish hard shoe dancing like you’ve never seen it (VIDEO)2016-11-04T19:38:51-04:00
“Trad on the Prom” is excellent. Full stop. No arguments on each and every count, tap, and note. It’s not often you come across something you want to shout about from the rooftops, but “Trad on the Prom” is all that and more. If you have never seen “Riverdance” or “Lord of the Dance” and even if you have and happen to be in Galway, you should go and see this show.

This show is different as you can get up close and personal to the action on stage and actually see and hear what is happening properly. It’s thrilling, I couldn’t sleep for hours afterward, it was so exciting.

No more than myself you probably won’t remember their names, but we are talking world class talent here: Sylph-like Claire Graney, who has won the World Irish Dancing Championship no fewer than six times, the Keaney brothers “putting it up to” Cian Nolan (see the video below) and Ireland’s top “Sean Nós” dancer Emma O’Sullivan, a raven-haired beauty from Connemara.

Then there is the superb music and tunes played by the accomplished Mairín Fahy and her sister Yvonne, of the Chieftains. Is there any musical instrument this lady can’t play? And piper Gerard Fahy, who flew in fresh from a live interview in London with legendary Michael Flatley. He’s only the musical director of the “Lord of the Dance.” I mean, could you get any better?

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2016-10-21T06:13:00-04:00http://www.irishcentral.com/culture/craic/irish-bride-and-groom-wow-their-guests-with-a-little-step-dancing-videoIrish bride and groom wow their guests with a little step dancing (VIDEO) 2016-10-19T05:37:03-04:00
An Irish couple surprised their wedding guests when they burst into a traditional Irish step dance at their reception.

Bride Aoife Neville, from Limerick, and groom Seán Longe, from Clare, both play traditional Irish music and love set dancing and céilís. The pair came up with the idea to treat their guests to a special dance at their wedding.

The couple come out to the floor for their first dance and start step dancing. They are soon joined by their friends Aiden Connolly, Michael Barry, Eoin Marrinan, Lynda McLeish, Rachel Finucane and Karen Galvin.

The Irish Independent reports that the couple mixed a variety of steps they picked up at céilís with a few of their own.

The Shandrum Céilí Band played the music at their reception, which was held on May 21 at the Falls Hotel Ennistymon in Clare.

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2016-10-19T05:37:00-04:00http://www.irishcentral.com/culture/craic/tap-dance-vs-irish-dance-the-great-dance-off-beginsTap dance vs Irish dance, the great dance-off begins (VIDEOS)2016-10-19T04:20:57-04:00Irish and African Americans came in chains and coffin ships to America, were forced to leave home villages and country, suffered vast discrimination on arrival in the US but clawed their way upwards.

Cheek by jowl they lived on Manhattan’s Lower East and West Sides, and to the horror of the miscegenation mob, who wanted no intermingling, often married.

From that mixing and marriage came some of the greatest dancing of all times.

No surprise that tap and Irish dance have so much in common, much of the modern version was born in these ghettos.

As a reminder of how marvelous that could be, the face-off that occurred in "Riverdance" between the two traditions is relayed here.

Meanwhile, Irish dancer Hannah Redlich has brought it all a step further - no pun intended - by Irish and tap dancing to music from the smash-hit musical “Hamilton”. Even Lin-Manuel Miranda was impressed, tweeting his support.

The message to both cultures is similar: Hold onto your dancing shoes.

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2016-10-18T04:40:00-04:00http://www.irishcentral.com/culture/craic/4-year-old-irish-dancer-could-be-the-worlds-next-michael-flatley-video4-year-old Irish dancer could be the world’s next Michael Flatley (VIDEO)2016-11-01T11:54:54-04:00
The talent of Irish dancers around the world will always continue to amaze us but few quite so much as this remarkable tiny dancer from Scotland, a sure set star of the future.

Adding his own self-choreographed steps, Oscar Donnelly, who was just four years old at the time, performed the set dance the Kilkenny Races at a speed of 110 BPM (beats per minute). For those who aren’t quite up to speed on their Irish step dance lingo, this is extremely fast for a boy who has not even started elementary school yet. It’s the speed that most teenagers will attempt!

In fact, most dancers of his age are still working solely with soft shoes and do not take on the heavier hard shoes until they’re a little older, making his talent all the more remarkable.

The video below was shared by Irish dance aficionados Fusion Fighters and has already reached over half a million views.

Oscar, who just turned five in July 2016, dances for the Stephanie Duff School in Scotland and has been dancing since he was three.

He was such a clear natural that Oscar began to compete in October 2015 and in that short space of time has already brought home a massive 18 trophies and won four big championships including the All Scotland's (U6 Champ) and other championships in London and Dublin.

Unfortunately, outstanding Oscar has a bit of a wait until he can compete on a world stage, as he won’t even be allowed to enter the World’s until he’s at least 11. We can’t wait to see what he’ll achieve at that stage with another seven years of practice behind him. His competitors must be shaking in their boots already!

Oscar’s Mom Annie Walters has said that his talents don't just lie in Irish dance but Oscar’s natural rhythm attracts him to all types of dance.

“He loves dancing to all music not just Irish music,” she said.

“He's always had a great understanding of music and rhythm which I think makes him as good as what he is!

“It's just impressive that he does all this and he's still at nursery [kindergarten]."

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2016-10-17T07:21:00-04:00http://www.irishcentral.com/travel/trad-seisuin-and-ceili-broke-out-on-an-aer-lingus-flight-to-the-usTrad seisúin and céilí broke out on an Aer Lingus flight to the US2016-10-14T05:32:24-04:00
Have you ever watched the céilí scene from the movie "Titanic" and wished that you could pass the time on a long journey just like Jack and Rose with a good session and a stomping dance?

Well, what was stopping you? We might have moved on from week-long ship journeys across the Atlantic Ocean to several-hour transatlantic flights, but that didn’t stop this group of merrymakers from taking advantage of their traveling time to belt out a few tunes and spin a few sets.

A rip-roaring session exploded on a recent Aer Lingus plane midflight and even a member of the cabin crew decided to take the time to show off her Irish set-dancing skills.

The impromptu performance started off as the musicians took to their instruments and cabin crew member Orla O’Brien got to her feet, grabbed a partner, and made the most of the lively music.

Not your typical in-flight entertainment!

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2016-10-14T05:32:00-04:00http://www.irishcentral.com/culture/craic/remarkable-irish-dancer-incorporates-hula-hoop-into-her-act-videoRemarkable Irish dancer incorporates hula hoop into her act (VIDEO)2016-10-13T04:19:49-04:00As if being talented enough to Irish dance wasn’t impressive enough, this creative Irish-dancer has stepped up her game by adding a touch of hula-hooping into her performance.

Taking the stage at Oireachtas Chois Fharraige, a week-long festival held in September in the Cois Fharraige Gaeltacht (Irish-speaking district), Kirsty impressed the crowd at Tigh Chualáin pub in Indreabhán, Co. Galway, by taking up one of the more unusual props we’ve seen as she showed off her sean-nós steps (“old style” form of Irish dance).

You may be used to seeing dancers take up a broom every now and again, but as Cois Fharraige celebrated 40 years since the national Oireachtas festival was held there in 1976, it called for something special. The festival also marked the 40th anniversary of the introduction of the “Steip” dance competition to the national Oireachtas, which has now become one of the more popular highlights of the annual event.

The Oireachtas festival was founded in 1897 by Conradh na Gaeilge (the Gaelic League) to promote Irish literature, music, and singing. It is one of the cultural pinnacles of the year and continues to draw thousands annually.

The Corn Uí Riada singing competition and Steip dance competition attract big crowds as Gaels from around the world ring in the Gaelic New Year. The Oireachtas Awards for Literature and Drama are also some of the most sought after prizes by Irish-language authors and playwrights.

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2016-10-13T04:19:00-04:00http://www.irishcentral.com/culture/craic/toddler-joins-in-with-irish-dancer-on-the-streets-of-galway-videoToddler joins in with Irish dancer on the streets of Galway (VIDEO)2016-10-10T04:02:11-04:00Irish dancing is no easy feat – requiring dexterity, grace, flexibility and coordination – but the important thing is to give it your all.

Georgia, a two-year-old girl in Galway, did just that in a chance encounter with Irish dancer Emma O’Sullivan, who was entertaining the midday crowds on Galway’s Shop Street.

A video posted by Galway Now magazine captured the sweet scene as Georgia, delighted by O’Sullivan’s dancing, toddled over to her and began mimicking her moves.

We think she has a promising future ahead of her! O’Sullivan does too: "We never expected her to be able to copy the dance so well and to be so brave to hop out in front of so many people," she told CNN.

The video quickly went viral, racking up 8.3 million views, and it’s not hard to see why.

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2016-10-09T08:00:00-04:00http://www.irishcentral.com/roots/irishamerica/10-moments-new-york-makes-you-proud-to-be-irish10 New York moments that make you proud to be Irish2016-10-06T07:24:30-04:00
It’s not the big celebration on Paddy’s Day or the fuss and and the party that make us all proud to be Irish but the day-to-day occurrences that remind us how lucky we are to come from a small country with a big personality.

1. Reading Seamus Heaney’s poetry on a subway poster

You’re in a rush, sick to death of the snow and just wanting to get through the journey home and relax. You happen to glance up from your book as you struggle to keep your balance in a packed car, still avoiding eye contact with everybody around you. Just in front of you, plastered on the car wall, is a poem from Seamus Heaney. As you read through the words, you forget the hustle and bustle around you, almost forget to look for your stop, as you think of the ways in which our countryman’s way with words has spread all over the world.

2. Hearing Irish artists on the radio

Not surprisingly, Hozier’s a big deal this side of the Atlantic, too. Not only are we lucky enough to have a traditional music and dance culture that is encouraged and supported in Ireland and abroad, we have made major contributions to the international music scene.

3. Hearing stories from people who’ve visited Ireland

You may have heard about the beautiful countryside a thousand times over but nobody would be saying it if it wasn’t true. Hearing these stories reminds us of the moments we may have forgotten: a big bowl of soup and brown bread in a pub snug on a rainy day, the sun shining on the Liffey as you walk up the quays with a ‘99, sandy sandwiches on a beach packed on a sunny Sunday afternoon or a hike through through the hills on a gusty day.

4. Using Irish on the subway

It makes us stand out, it lets people know that you are part of a different culture and it’s also something you have in common with all other nationalities that flock to the city. There’s nothing better than being able to use your own secret language to discuss other people on the train. Even if you just have a cúpla focal, being able to throw out an amadán (fool) at the person who rudely barged into you, or a náireach (embarrassing) at the person wearing the exact same dress, makes all the difference.

5. Being asked your opinion on Joyce, Beckett and Friel

As with Heaney, it makes you wonder how our small country managed to produce such talent. Students of English literature all over the world study the works of Irish authors and playwrights who’ve made an incredible contribution to the English language. Being asked your expert opinion may seem a little daunting, especially when you may not have read anything at all, but you're guaranteed to be greeted with enthusiasm if you can help others understand the mind of the Irish.

6. A fine Irish bar

Although we may attempt to distance ourselves from the drunken stereotype, if there is one thing we’re good at, it’s a good pub. Whether you’re a pioneer who goes for the social occasion or a drinker who goes to sample every drink on offer, a cosy atmosphere and a place to debate all of the world’s problems can always be guaranteed.

7. Seeing the empire state lit in green

New York City alone may have a population almost doubling our whole country’s but they still find us important enough to light up one of the city’s most iconic buildings in green in our honor. Seeing the green glow on the skyline from your Brooklyn apartment is guaranteed to set your heart alight with pride.

8. Accepting the gay community into our celebrations

This May will mark a very important moment in Irish history. As the country votes on the the topic of same-sex marriage, it is telling that it is also the first year that the NYC and Boston parades will allow LGBT groups to take part in festivities. The inclusion of these groups is a step in the direction of equality and inclusion, on a day when we all deserve the right to celebrate Ireland.

9. Seeing people learn traditional instruments/Irish dancing

Many people underestimate how fortunate the Irish are in their ability to maintain their traditional culture while still playing an important role internationally. Many countries suffer from a loss of their cultural heritage as time passes on, especially as the culture of wealthier countries begins to hold dominance over their own. The Irish, on the other hand, are still going strong with dancers and musicians spread to the four corners of the globe.

10. People attempting to copy your accent

As Julie Hecht says in her book Do the Windows Open? “Sometimes everything the Irish said sounded like a poem.” Yes, this may be cringe-inducing from time to time but isn’t it best to take it as a compliment? Nobody would be attempting to copy the Irish brogue if they didn’t like it so much, so instead of turning up your nose at any feeble attempts, teach them a few words that will make sure their Irish lingo is finely tuned.

So tell us! When do you feel #proudtobeIrish – is it something about Irish culture? Irish history? Ireland today? Is there someone in your family or community who makes you especially proud? We can’t wait to hear your stories.

Reverend David Rider (29), of Hyde Park, New York, and Reverend John Gibson (28), from Milwaukee, became internet hits when they were filmed, in April 2014, at a fundraising event at the North American College, an American seminary in Rome, near the Vatican.

First on stage (atop a piano by the looks of things) is Rider warming up the crowd with some tap dancing then Gibson takes to the stage with some seriously fast-footed Irish dance moves.

Journalist Joan Lewis recorded the dance duel from the back of the room. She told the Associated Press she was blown away by the reaction online. Currently, the video has been viewed over 3 million times.

Not all the reaction to the video was positive. One commenter said they should not have been dancing under a crucifix and a painting of Pope Francis I. They called their dancing “disrespectful.”

In response to the comment tap dancing Rev Rider said, “We would just refer them to the Bible where the Lord tells us to live with joy."

John Gibson was ordained a Catholic priest in May, in Milwaukee. He was a former dancer with Cashel Dennehy School of Irish Dance in Milwaukee, WI.

According to the Catholic Herald Gibson began his Irish dance career at the age of 12. He was “number one in the Midwest after winning the regional championship one year. During his eight or nine-year dance career which ended when he was in college, he also placed in the top 10 in nationals and in the top 15 in world championships.”

*Originally published in 2014

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2016-10-03T07:28:00-04:00http://www.irishcentral.com/culture/new-dance-troupe-takes-irish-dance-to-the-next-level-videoBrooklyn dance troupe takes Irish dance to the next level (VIDEO)2016-09-23T06:56:45-04:00
The Lord of the Dance Michael Flatley may be hanging up his hard shoes at the end of his current Broadway run but the next generation of professional Irish dancers are more than ready to step, rally, and slide into the void he will leave.

We’ve already enjoyed the magic of Brooklyn-based group Hammerstep and their short film inspired by Irish dance and martial arts, and now professional troupe of dancers Slide Step have unleashed their incredible new performance style in this fantastic video.

A mix of contemporary street moves and energetic, powerful, hard-shoe rhythms, Slide Step’s look is far from the wigs and dresses we may normally associate with Irish dance and they specialize in everything from 5 minute dance blasts at events to table-top revelry.

Started in 2013, the group have a big year ahead of them and shows scheduled throughout Ireland. We hope they can fit in a tour of the US, too.

You can find out more on Side Step and their show schedule on their website or give them a follow on Facebook and Twitter.

* Originally published January 2016.

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2016-09-23T06:56:00-04:00http://www.irishcentral.com/culture/craic/three-year-old-irish-dancer-is-the-cutest-thing-in-the-world-videoThree-year-old Irish dancer is the cutest thing in the world (VIDEO) 2016-09-23T05:37:20-04:00
This adorable three-year-old Irish dancer at her first Feis will melt your heart. In a video posted to the Fleadh Cheoil Facebook page, this tiny dancer shows off some serious step dancing moves and a great deal of charm.

Dressed to the nines, the girl is brought out onto the dance floor and, at first, stands there a bit hesitantly. Then she starts dancing like a little pro, impressing the audience, which cheers and claps along to the music.

With a huge smile on her face, she looks like she’s having the time of her life.

The video has amassed nearly 700k views.

Watch it below.

* Originally published in June 2016.

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2016-09-23T05:36:00-04:00http://www.irishcentral.com/culture/entertainment/irish-dance-sensation-riverdance-celebrates-20th-anniversary-videoLooking back over 22 years of Riverdance (VIDEO)2016-10-19T11:22:32-04:00
It’s hard to believe but Riverdance, the worldwide phenomenon, celebrated 22 years in production this past April.

Riverdance first burst onto the stage as an interval act during the 1994 Eurovision Song Contest, taking the audience in the Point Depot and television viewers by storm, and the show's producers have never looked back.

A whole new genre of entertainment was born and 25 million audience members later Riverdance still astonishes globally.

For the 20th anniversary, Moya Doherty wrotein the Irish Independent that “Riverdance became a joyous celebration of the Irish character which millions around the world were allowed to share.”

From the haunting vocals of Anúna, to the graceful elegance of Jean Butler, to the explosive entrance of Michael Flatley, Riverdance was an immediate smash and all these years later the effects are still being felt.

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2016-09-20T05:04:00-04:00http://www.irishcentral.com/culture/entertainment/irish-dance-video-celebrates-halfway-to-st-patrick-s-dayBrilliant Irish dance video celebrates halfway to St Patrick's Day2016-09-20T18:12:15-04:00
A dancer from “Riverdance” has partnered with Irish dance schools in Pennsylvania and Ohio to make a video celebrating halfway to St Patrick’s Day, which is Sept. 17.

The video introduces the Irish Dance Fusion Fighters, made up of dancers from four Irish dance schools, and stars “Riverdance” and “Lord of the Dance” dancer Chris Naish, The Morning Call reports.

Naish, who founded Fusion Fighters, is director of the video, which was shot in Bethlehem, PA. Sisters Dawn and Jacque Parker, who are codirectors, say the video showcases what they call Irish fusion dance.

The video shows Naish jumping out of bed when he realizes that it is only six months to St Patrick’s Day. He sends a text message and Facebook invitations to his dancers and they all head to the studio to prepare for the celebration. A parade of dancers travel through the town until they arrive at Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Art in Bethlehem, where they dance on stage.

The participating dancers in the film come from Irish Stars Parker School of Irish Dance in Hellertown, Ni Riain School of Irish Dance of York, McCulloch School of Irish Dance of Hudson, Ohio and the McGovern Ceili Dancers of Dayton, Ohio.

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2016-09-20T04:35:00-04:00http://www.irishcentral.com/news/irishvoice/michael-flatley-creates-tea-time-at-the-shelbourne-hotelMichael Flatley creates tea time at the Shelbourne Hotel2016-09-17T06:12:17-04:00
If you’ve ever fancied supping tea with Michael Flatley, Dublin’s venerable Shelbourne Hotel is offering the next best thing – a specially catered tea in honor of the dance legend’s skills as an artist.

Yes, artist. MF’s paintings sell in the five to six figure range, and the Shelbourne has taken inspiration from his works to create a Michael Flatley Afternoon Tea for its patrons.

What does it consist of? Unique pastries such as a pink macaroon filled with strawberry vanilla cheesecake, based on Michael’s painting called “Playful,” and a dark chocolate dome filled with salted caramel and chocolate mousses which takes inspiration from “Elvis,” another of his works.

The mouth-watering, calorie-laden treats look scrumptious, but Michael told The Irish Times on a visit to the Shelbourne that he never indulges his sweet tooth.

“I can’t have wheat or dairy. It’s small percentage of the population, but I think it’s growing. I am told everywhere we go now, whether it’s London or New York or Paris, everybody is requesting wheat-free and dairy-free,” MF said.

“I hope I won’t upset anyone, but I don’t eat desserts at all. I used to love having ice cream, but can’t have that, and also, my favorite dessert or after meal treat was Welsh rarebit. I used to love that. That was my favorite thing to have, with maybe a glass of Sauternes.”

Michael’s painting takes up a good amount of his time now. The Times reported that his first showing in London last year netted some €1 million in sales – not too shabby for someone who paints with his feet and other unusual methods.

“Sure it’s only a few of the paintings that are done with my feet. A lot of the paintings I do, I might use a cloth a rag, or I might use a piece of wood. Some of the paintings are done in the most unique methods, but I don’t use a brush, only to sign it,” he said.

The MF Shelbourne tea is €49, and includes sandwiches in addition to the cakes.

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2016-09-15T00:00:00-04:00http://www.irishcentral.com/travel/the-top-10-pubs-in-dingle-90076267-237789591The best pubs in the picturesque town of Dingle2016-09-13T05:27:01-04:00
As one of the prime destinations on Ireland’s west coast, the Dingle Peninsula is rich in seacoast vistas, pristine beaches, rugged mountain passes, and deep green valleys as well as colorful little towns, fishing ports, and great pubs.

Above all, Dingle’s pubs are known for great character – and great characters, as well as nightly sessions of traditional music and lots of “craic” (good times). Even if it is pouring rain, Dingle will warm your heart with its welcoming variety of pubs.

If you are planning a visit to Dingle, here are 10 of my favorites to put on your itinerary:

An Droichead Beag/The Small Bridge – sitting beside a bridge leading to the road over the Conor Pass, this pub is known for its “mighty” sessions of Irish traditional music scheduled every night of the year, usually commencing at 9:30 or 10 p.m. (Lr. Main St., Dingle Town, tel. 066-915-1723; www.dingle-region.com/smallbridge.htm)

Dick Mack’s – probably Dingle’s most well-known pub. Named after the late leather-craftsman Richard MacDonnell (the current owner’s father), this family pub carries on a cobbler’s tradition, with a small leather shop still on the premises and an array of handcrafted leather boots, belts, and key fobs still on display. The walls are lined with family memorabilia, old pictures and books. The bar area is small and includes an old-fashioned snug. Outside there is a Hollywood-style pavement with star slabs showing the names of famous people who have visited such as Sean Connery, Robert Mitchum, and Julia Roberts, to name a few. (Green St., Dingle Town, tel. 066-915-1960)

Foxy John’s – a bastion of home town atmosphere. This place is a combination of traditional hardware store (on the left) and vintage pub (on the right). Step in and shop, or sip. And just for good measure, you can also rent a bike at the back of the pub. (Main St., Dingle Town, tel. 066-915-7316)

James Flahive – a tailor shop for over 100 years, this old pub has put away the needles and threads, but it still displays many of the trappings of the trade. The walls also show pictures of many favorite customers over the years as well as photos of Fungie, the town’s resident dolphin. There’s no food or music here, just good company and a good pint. (The Quay, Dingle Town, tel. 066-915-1634) John Benny Moriarty – the locals simply call this place “John Benny’s.” It is located opposite the tourist office and pier, and is known for pub grub and genuine Dingle music. The owners, John and Éilis Moriarty, are traditional Irish musicians and get the sessions off to a melodic start. (Strand St., Dingle Town, tel. 066-915-1215; www.johnbennyspub.com)

Kruger’s Pub – venture out on the Slea Head drive to find this rural pub, a favorite with locals and visitors alike. It is named after Muiris “Kruger” Kavanagh, a local lad who was known to pick a fight at school so he was dubbed “Kruger” after Paul Kruger, a famous Boer leader. He migrated to the US where he worked at various jobs from bodyguard and nurse to PR man for a New York City theater. After 16 years, he returned to Ireland and set up this pub, to which he drew many friends from Broadway. Although Kruger passed on, his pub carries on as an entertainment hub with weekend performances of sean-nós singing (an old Irish unaccompanied style) and step dancing. (Ballinaraha, Dunquin, tel. 066-915-6127)

Lord Baker’s – claiming to be the oldest pub in Dingle, this local landmark is named after Tom Baker, who purchased this premise in 1890 and turned it into a hive of activity, selling wine and spirits, tea, flour, wool and general farm supplies. As well as tending to his bar and shop, Baker served as a county councilor, worked as an auctioneer and wrote poetry in the Irish language. He earned the unofficial title of “Lord Baker” from his fellow townspeople. His legacy lives on in the atmosphere of the bar. Good bar food is served throughout the day. (Main St., Dingle Town, tel. 066-915-1277); www.lordbakers.ie) MacCártaìg/MacCarthy’s Pub – has been in the McCarthy family since the early 1800’s. Like many early pubs, it had a dual purpose in earlier days, serving as a pub-grocery store and then a pub-bakery. Pictures on the walls tell the pub’s story through the years. Music is on tap many nights. (Goat St., Dingle Town, tel. 066-915-1205; www.maccarthyspub.com)

O'Flaherty's – a vintage pub near the pier, known for its rustic atmosphere and great sessions of Irish traditional music. Enter from Strand Street or from the musically-themed back gate along the harbor-front. (Strand Street, Dingle Town, tel. 066-915-1461)

South Pole Inn – a handy stop between Tralee and Dingle. Formerly owned by Tom Crean, who was famous for his Antarctic explorations, this pub is full of memorabilia from Crean’s travels. (Main St., Annascaul, tel. 066-915-7388)

Patricia (Pat) Preston has written 23 travel books (15 about Ireland). Her latest book, Ireland Travel 101 (http://www.IrelandTravel101.com) won 1st Place in the Travel Guide category of the North American Travel Journalists Association annual competition this year. Visit Pat’s web site (http://www.IrelandExpert.com).

* Originally published in 2010.

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2016-09-13T05:27:00-04:00http://www.irishcentral.com/culture/entertainment/amazing-irish-dancers-take-to-the-streets-of-detroit-videoAmazing Irish dancers take to the streets of Detroit (VIDEO)2016-11-23T15:23:05-05:00
These Irish dancers want you to know that Detroit is on the path towards revitalization.

Dancers from the Flanagan-O’Hare school of Irish Dance worked on a positively awesome video this summer, displaying their dancing skills in some of their city’s most vibrant and iconic locations, set to the tune of Justin Timberlake’s “Can’t Stop the Feeling.”

As Michael O’Hare, who founded and runs the school with his wife, Elaine Flanagan O’Hare, told IrishCentral, “The video was inspired by our school being invited to dance at a surprise birthday party for Matt Cullen, Prinipal, Rock Venture, LLC, CEO of Jack Entertainment LLC, and part founder of Dan Gilbert’s Family of Companies. Upon arrival at his party, we received a tour of the Quicken Loan building and realized the efforts to revitalize Detroit were well underway and we had so much to be proud of in our city.

“Our dancers were thrilled to be part of his celebration and wanted to return to Detroit to highlight Irish dancing at some of the well-known places within the city. Our school thoroughly enjoyed making the video and have so much to be proud of being raised as Irish Americans living in Detroit and the surrounding suburbs.”

The dancers featured in the video are life-time Irish dancers Jon Giolitti and Jenna Hobson, in addition to emerging talents Kaitlin Creedon, Sophia Cadavid, and Chloe Durik.

The Flanagan-O’Hare School was founded by Michael O’Hare TCRG in 1981. Classes are currently held in Bloomfield Hills, MI as well as Naples, FL. The school has received worldwide recognition for their students, who have won All Ireland Championships, National Championships, Mid America Championships as well as numerous local feisanna. Past lead dancers in both "Riverdance" and "Lord of the Dance," born and raised in the suburbs of Detroit, also got their starts at the school.

Michael O’Hare and his wife Elaine Flanagan-O’Hare are both certified Irish dance teachers with the Commission Le Gaelacha, Dubliln, Ireland. They thoroughly enjoy teaching students of all ages the art of Irish dance.

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2016-09-13T04:26:00-04:00http://www.irishcentral.com/news/italian-neurologist-finds-improbable-cure-for-parkinsons-disease-in-irish-dancing-197291231-237768881Italian doctor finds cure for Parkinson's Disease in Irish dancing 2016-09-12T06:27:42-04:00
Doctor Daniele Volpe is not an ordinary Italian neurologist. In addition to heading up the Parkinson's Rehabilitation unit at the St. John of God hospital in Venice, he is a musician who loves trad and who visits Ireland frequently to play in a band.

Amazingly, he has found a way to connect both his professional life and his love of trad music.

The story begins in June of 2010 in Peppers Pub, a Trad hot spot located in the tiny village of Feakle (population 126), in County Clare. Peppers regularly offers Trad nights where customers can enjoy music, and if so inclined, participate in set dances. On this particular night, Dan Fox (Volpe’s stage name) was playing alongside Charlie Piggot, one of the founding members of De Dannan, and as the band was about to start, the Italian doctor noticed a man with an unsteady gait enter the pub. "Someone with Parkinson's," he remembers thinking.

About 20 minutes later the band opened the floor for a set dance, and Volpe was surprised to see the man with Parkinson’s among the dancers. What followed was incredible: the man who walked so unsteadily required no assistance to dance. Indeed, the man went through the moves effortlessly, as if he were a different person. Dr. Volpe was quite puzzled, and asked Charlie about a particular leg movement he noticed. Thus Dr. Volpe learned about the Reel step.

Dr. Volpe made an important observation. For many with Parkinson's, posterior-anterior advancement of the lower limb during the swing phase of the gait's cycle is compromised. Yet, the Reel Step enabled a dancer with Parkinson's to override the neurological impediments that affect the gait.

As he thought about the Reel Step, he noted that Irish Set Dance is patterned, but steps are not overly repetitious. Execution of the pattern requires the dancer to change direction frequently. Directional change plus the need to maintain reasonably consistent step lengths require the dancer to be in a state of constantly transferring weight from one leg to the other. The overall effect is a remarkable improvement.

But why? The answer may be the music. The strong upbeat rhythmic pattern of an Irish reel or jig may provide the brain with periodic acoustic cues that somehow enable it to by pass transmission dysfunctionalities in the Basal Ganglia (BG) and in the SMA (Supplementary Motor Area) networks.

Sounds good, but is it “reel?” Would Set Dance work in Italy? When Volpe returned to Venice, he conducted a small study to determine whether his observation was simply coincidence. He recruited a group of 24 subjects, all of whom presented moderate stage Parkinson's symptoms (average Hoehn-Yahr score of 2.5).

The subjects were divided into two groups.

Group 1 was the control group and received conventional physiotherapy. Group 2 was introduced to Irish set dance courses. Testing followed the six-month trial, and while all forms of therapy were beneficial, the Irish set dance group improved more in their control in every measurement category.

Doctor Volpe presented his initial findings in June 2012 to the International Congress of PD and Movement Disorders in Dublin. Following his presentation, a group of dancers from Venice, most of whom suffer from PD, were asked to dance a figure from the Corofin Plain Set, before an audience of nearly one thousand. Here’s a brief video of Doctor Volpe's patients doing a set dance.

Remarkable!

Next steps. Follow-up testing is now underway with an international randomized trial being conducted by researchers from the University of Limerick in Ireland and the University of Melbourne in Australia. The doctor is hopeful the initial success will be validated, and in time, Irish Set Dancing therapy (ISDT) will become part of the conventional rehabilitation options available to patients everywhere.

Additionally, he wants to investigate the efficacy of Irish set dance therapy (ISDT) in Alzheimer’s Disease and has begun development of Randomized Control Trial process to better understand the relative consequences of ISDT on both diseases.

One man's reaction: “I first read about the Volpe discoveries in October, 2012 and I was overjoyed. I have had Parkinson's for many years, with onset in 1997. I also love Trad and noticed that when listening to it, I could perform some dexterity tests --such as the tapping the thumb with the pointer finger-- for significantly longer durations than when without music. Moreover, I found my improvement with dexterity occurred only with Trad, and a few distant relatives, like a Cajun two-step. While I still have not learned to dance, I knew that Doctor Volpe was onto something, and I thought it appropriate for someone to name a piece of Trad music after Doctor Volpe. The question was, how do I do this?

“Enter Martin Tourish. I sent an email off to Martin, who is one of Ireland’s leading Trad composers when he is not pursuing his doctoral studies in music at Dublin Institute of Technology. Within a day he wrote back saying that he had just finished composing ten Irish jigs for Mary Beth's new DVD entitled, Sean Nos Jigs for Everyone. Eight were not yet titled, and pending Mary Beth's approval, he would be delighted to name two of the jigs in honor of Doctor Volpe. A day later, he again wrote to say that she enthusiastically agreed.”

Mary Beth Taylor is perhaps Ireland's most eclectic dance teacher. Founder of TCRG, Scoil Rince Taylor, [Irish for the Taylor Dance School), it is the only school in Dublin certified to teach Sean-Nós Dance, Step Dance and Bettering steps for Set Dance. Mary Beth teaches English at Dublin City University, and, in her spare time, has produced two instructional videos, Sean-Nós Dance for Everyone, and most recently, Sean-Nós Jigs for Everyone! Thanks to the generosity of Mary Beth and Martin, the first selection has been titled Doctor Volpe's while the eighth is called Dance Therapy.

And the tiny village of Feakle will celebrate Doctor Volpe’s discoveries with two major events in 2013. As part of the 26th Annual Traditional Music Festival, organizers have invited Dr. Volpe’s dance group of Parkinson’s patients to be special guest performers. And, Doctor Volpe will present his latest findings at a conference on “The Therapeutic Effects of Irish Set Dancing in the treatment of Parkinson's Disease.”

An amazing story and one that offers some hope to those with Parkinson’s.

*Originally published in 2013.

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2016-09-12T06:27:00-04:00http://www.irishcentral.com/culture/craic/flashmob-alert-theyre-dancing-in-shannon-airportFlashmob alert! They're dancing in Shannon Airport2016-09-07T07:01:44-04:00
Travelers passing through Shannon Airport last week were treated to a surprise performance from students with the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance.

As airline crews and tourists went about their way, something very different from the usual calls for passengers to report to the information desk began to emanate from the loudspeakers.

As the music kicked in, dancers emerged from the crowd - some dressed as vacationers and travelers, others as Shannon Airport employees. Those watching all burst into smiles, many capturing the moment with their phones.

The video has already been viewed close to 40,000 times on YouTube. Check it out below!

Kevin Prendergast (22), who dances with the innovative Irish dance troupe Fusion Fighters, uploaded this improvisational performance shot at his place of work, Bunratty Castle in County Clare. Prendergast told IrishCentral, “It's a traditional dance step to an Irish reel and aims to reflect a raw, rhythmical style of Irish dance accompanied by tin whistle and guitar and performed on a plane wooden board.”

Just your regular day at the office for Prendergast!

Last month TG4, Ireland’s Irish language TV channel, posted the video (below) of a performance by Fusion Fighter members on the streets of Ennis, County Clare, during the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann festival. So far their video has close to two million views.

Fusion Fighters pride themselves on being a “performance crew that combine(s) a fusion of dance forms with a limitless approach to collaboration with music, technology and martial arts.”

Even if you know nothing about Irish dance it’s plain to see that these dancers are something special.

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2016-09-06T01:00:00-04:00http://www.irishcentral.com/culture/craic/tiny-irish-dancer-stuns-crowded-mall-with-michael-jackson-routineTiny Irish dancer stuns crowd with Michael Jackson routine2016-10-07T18:48:12-04:00
The future of Irish dance is here and her name is Kate McCafferty.

Kate’s Michael Jackson routine, caught on film when she performed it two years ago at the Foyleside Shopping Center in Derry, Northern Ireland, is hugely inventive and shows how Irish dance can mingle with other genres of dance and music to create something totally unique.

Her solo performance might not meet the ‘mob’ qualification of Irish dance flash mob week, but this tiny dancer has just as much energy and enthusiasm as any group – if not more.

Kate has continued on to great things since then, winning the Under 10 World Irish Dancing Championships in Dublin last year.

Now get your Irish dance shoes on and moonwalk a little with Kate!

*Originally published in April 2014.

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2016-09-02T05:00:00-04:00http://www.irishcentral.com/culture/craic/this-riverdancing-baby-will-put-a-smile-on-your-face-videoThis Riverdancing baby will put a smile on your face (VIDEO)2016-09-30T18:16:42-04:00
Meet Kali Jazz. She may not be able to walk yet, but boy can she dance. The Irish-dancing protégé from Québec showed off her natural talent to the world and became a YouTube sensation.

Kali loves her Jolly Jumper and naturally, as proud parents, Kali’s parents like to film her while she goes for a spin. Following a pretty energetic Jolly Jumper session, Kali’s Dad decided to edit the footage and the results are adorable.

The video has already received over one million views on YouTube and the fledgling dancer’s talents have been so well met that she even has her own Facebook page. I think we can consider this her audition tape.

*Originally published in February 2015.

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2016-08-23T02:00:00-04:00http://www.irishcentral.com/culture/craic/amazing-dog-learns-irish-dancing-from-its-owner-videosAmazing dog learns Irish dancing from its owner (VIDEOS)2016-09-23T18:12:13-04:00
Dogs can learn some pretty remarkable tricks, but did you know Irish dancing is one of them?

At least that’s the case for Secret, a one-year-old Australian Shepherd dog in Bellingham, Washington.

It’s a case of pleasure in the juxtaposition of the sound and images but you’ve got to say...it works!

The YouTube user Rikki Rozelle posted this clip titled “Celtic Walk” back in Feb 2014 saying “we came across the clip of these kids crip walking and thought it would be funny with some Irish music; and it was...AWESOME!!” So far almost two million viewers agree.

Although city kids – possibly from Los Angeles – doing a crip walk to Irish trad music does seem off-beat or out of place, it really does work, but then when you think about it there could be a reason behind this.

The dance they’re doing is called the crip walk, or the C-Walk. Apparently it originated in the early 1970s when the Crips, the gang members in South Central Los Angeles, performed this quick intricate footwork which was adopted by various rappers.

What struck me about the video was that the fancy footwork isn’t’ that far away from tap dance.

Check out these moves:

And then there is the old traditional style of Irish dance known as Sean-Nós. This dance (which also by the way originated on west coast...of Ireland) is a low-to-ground stepping-out to the music – very relaxed, similar to tap dance.

When you watch this amazing video of the super-talented Tom King, filmed in the 1970s you can’t deny there’s some similarity between his Sean-Nós moves and the crip walk.

* Originally published in 2015.]]>
2016-08-12T02:55:00-04:00http://www.irishcentral.com/culture/entertainment/check-out-the-dance-floor-at-a-riverdance-wedding-videoCheck out the dance floor at a “Lord of the Dance” wedding (VIDEO)2016-09-19T11:49:23-04:00
A video from the wedding of a former “Lord of the Dance” pro went viral. The video posted by the groom’s brother on Facebook shows a full troupe of professional Irish dancers giving it socks on the dance floor.

Entitled “Lord and Lady of the Dance” the video was posted by JP O'Meara, from Nenagh, County Tipperary, and has over 11,000 shares.

A source told IrishCentral that O'Meara’s “brother got married last week and he and the wife are former Lord of the Dancers so there was a full troupe of professionals.”

O'Meara admitted in the comments section “I wont lie to ye lads I was crying recording it!!” And who could blame him.

The clip shows wedding guest, in all their finery, get up and Irish dance. As the dance goes on it becomes clear that these are pros!

If you have any great Irish videos or photos you think IrishCentral readers would be interested in send them along to editors@irishcentral.com.

* Originally published in 2014.

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2016-08-12T02:26:00-04:00http://www.irishcentral.com/culture/entertainment/men-of-irish-dance-show-off-their-skill-and-power-in-viral-videoMen of Irish dance show off their skill and power in viral video2016-09-16T17:42:20-04:00
“Riverdance” performer James Greenan’s montage of male Irish dancers went viral when he released it in 2014 and it’s easy to see why.

As Greenan describes it: “the men of Irish dance showing the world what it’s all about…skill, power, and masculinity.”

Greenan, then a principal dancer in “Riverdance,” created a video montage with the goal of breaking stereotypes about Irish dancing – particularly that it’s “just for girls” and doesn’t require as much skill and competitiveness as other athletic forms.

He told IrishCentral that the video, which features dancers from Ireland to Boston to Bulgaria, “expresses the skill and agility needed to compete in this sport.”

He said the idea came about when he and a few of his friends from the Irish dance world began posting videos online showing their new moves or innovative rhythms. From this, he was inspired to create the first “online jam session,” or #LADjam as it has been hash-tagged.

“I posted a clip of myself dancing 16 bars of rhythm as a demonstration and I wrote a caption on it to encourage the men of Irish dance to come together and create the first online jam session. They were required to showcase their best footwork in the same amount of bars (length) and at the same speed as I had demonstrated.” He then compiled the videos into the first #LADjam, after which the project really took off.

“The word spread like wildfire and everyone wanted to be a part of it including parents, teachers and kids as young as nine from many continents. They danced in the street, in their kitchens, on stages, in their living rooms, in corridors and in studios. It was a platform for guys to showcase their talents on a larger scale instead of participating in a strict competition environment.”

Delighted that the video has already gone viral he said he hopes it will “show the world that Irish dancing is a sport and it should be considered as athletic and demanding as any other Olympic sport. It also shows how the Irish culture has spread worldwide.”

The video is part of a collection call #LADjam. Greenan plans to make another montage featuring the top 20 clips.

“Hopefully the #LADjam will change people’s perceptions, give Irish dancing the rightful credit it deserves on par with other Olympic sports, and encourage generations of young men to stick at it keeping the culture alive,” he said.

* Originally published in 2014.

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2016-08-10T02:29:00-04:00http://www.irishcentral.com/culture/entertainment/irish-dancers-steal-the-show-at-st-patricks-day-boston-celtics-game-videoIrish dancers steal the show at St. Patrick’s Day Boston Celtic’s game (VIDEO)2016-08-29T05:49:22-04:00
With the enormous excitement surrounding St. Patrick’s Day each year and the hundreds of events and performances taking place around the world each year, it becomes difficult here at IrishCentral to bring all the tremendous talent on display to your attention and so, we thought we’d bring you a little throw-back to St. Patrick’s Days past in the form of the incredible Bremer School of Irish Dance.

For any Boston Celtic fans, you may remember this Irish dancing school from Marblehead, Massachusetts, taking to the court for the halftime show on March 17 for several years in the lead-up to their participation on the World Dancing Championships at the end of the month.

In the third year of this tradition in 2010, the talented group of dancers really got the crowd going, just three weeks before they headed to Glasgow for the World's.

The above video shows the incredible show from the sidelines while this second video takes us up into the crowd to get a good view of the show from above.

It’s incredible to see the show the Bremer school put on each year, upping the ante in 2011 when they took on part of the music from Riverdance before really getting the crowd going with Dropkick Murphys’ “Shipping Up to Boston,” the perfect song to get the Boston Celtic fans riled up.

Unfortunately, there are no videos of their very first year but you can see the younger members of the dancing troupe looking even more adorable in this video from the halftime show in 2009.

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2016-08-03T04:11:00-04:00http://www.irishcentral.com/travel/amazing-lad-heel-clicks-his-way-through-irelands-32-counties-videoAmazing lad heel-clicks his way through Ireland’s 32 counties (VIDEO)2016-08-01T13:36:09-04:00
Do you recall those lovely Tourism Ireland videos from a few years ago that encouraged potential visitors to take the leap, book a trip, and “jump into Ireland”?

It looks like one Irish lad, Brian Cashin, took that call to action VERY literally.

Cashin, from Co. Carlow, has been living in Canada with his fiancée, Hazel, for the past two years. When they returned to Ireland, they realized there’s so much of the country they had never seen, so they decided to do some exploring.

Around the same time, Brian spontaneously captured a heel-click using the slow motion feature on his iPhone camera. “I thought it looked great, so we decided to embark on an adventure to see all of the top attractions that each county in Ireland has to offer, and film a heel-click at each location,” he explained on his YouTube channel.

Brian and Hazel proceeded to heel click their ways through each of Ireland’s 32 counties and the resulting video is excellent.

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2016-08-01T13:09:00-04:00http://www.irishcentral.com/culture/entertainment/amazing-teen-irish-dances-to-ariana-grande-and-meghan-trainor-videosAmazing teen Irish dances to Ariana Grande and Meghan Trainor (VIDEOS)2016-07-28T09:26:34-04:00
Tired of other people’s old-fashioned views on Irish dancing, 16-year-old Owen Luebbers decided to do something about it and give an old tradition some modern sass.

Putting steps to his favorite songs, the extremely talented Irish dancer wowed his followers with his dances to Ariana Grande and Meghan Trainor to name just a few.

"I think the majority of people don't know what Irish dance is, so by dancing to pop songs, I could make it more interesting to a wider audience," he told The Huffington Post. "I also love finding new music and combining it with dance."

Luebbers, from Philadelphia, is already a champion Irish dancer competing for 12 years and dancing from an extremely early age. "I am a seven-time national champion and am currently second in the world," he said. "I compete in international competitions several times a year."

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2016-07-28T02:03:00-04:00http://www.irishcentral.com/culture/entertainment/the-irish-dance-revolution-is-here-and-it-looks-spectacular-videoThe Irish dance revolution is here and it looks spectacular (VIDEO)2016-07-26T09:44:09-04:00
If this doesn’t get you practicing your one, two, threes today, we don’t know what will!

One of our favorite groups, ProdiJIG, returned this St. Patrick’s Day with another phenomenal dance video to announce their new show in the Cork Opera House.

Led by Cork-born choreographer Alan Kenefick, 'ProdiJIG: The Revolution' returned to Cork city this month bringing their innovative style of Irish dancing to the masses.

With 22 of the world’s best Irish dancers taking to the stage, their latest video, featuring the music of the fantastic trad group Moxie, is just a small glimpse of the magic in store.

“'ProdiJIG: The Revolution' has been inspired by my life as a dancer including the highs and the lows, and a dream to make a change,” said Kenefick, “to show the world that we as Irish dancers and as a culture are still evolving…This is our Revolution.”

ProdiJIG: The Revolution opened in Cork Opera House on July 23. More information or tickets can be found here.

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2016-07-26T02:07:00-04:00http://www.irishcentral.com/culture/entertainment/irish-dance-trioIrish dance trio wows in new video 'Freedom'2016-07-20T10:23:31-04:00
'Freedom' is an Irish dance collaboration between Kieran Hardiman, Alan Kenefick and Ciaran Plummer. This remarkable video by Brian Doherty was filmed at University College Cork and is set to a speech given by Charlie Chaplin in The Great Dictator and the music Mind of a Beast by The Glitch Mob.

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2016-07-20T02:24:00-04:00http://www.irishcentral.com/culture/entertainment/new-video-takes-irish-dance-to-a-whole-new-level-of-cool-videoNew video takes Irish dance to a whole new level of cool (VIDEO)2016-07-14T04:15:58-04:00
Alan Kenefick, who was one of the Irish dancing stars of the viral hit video "Freedom" earlier this year, is back with a new dance video to promote his latest venture.

"Prodijig: The Revolution," which will open at Cork Opera House in 2016, is described as “the dance of a new era” and tells the story of the evolution of Irish dance.

The show, which will feature 22 professional Irish dancers, was created by Kenefick, a World Champion Irish Dancer and choreographer.

This video, from EPIC Productions Ireland, gives a glimpse into what to expect when the show opens on July 23.

Tickets for "ProdiJIG: The Revolution" go on sale December 10. For more information, visit corkoperahouse.ie.

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2016-07-14T02:07:00-04:00http://www.irishcentral.com/news/community/extraordinary-life-of-the-woman-who-made-irish-dance-as-we-know-itExtraordinary life of the woman who made Irish dance as we know it 2016-07-06T08:53:28-04:00
One July day in Belfast, a young dancing student came to Anna McCoy after her class and asked her permission to wear his dancing kilt as he marched in the Orange Order parade on July 12. That was about 1950. Decades later, violence in Belfast would shut down the city. It would force the streets into lockdown with residents going to sleep anticipating the sound of explosions at any second and would force Anna to relocate her Irish dancing school from Belfast’s city center to the periphery to stay out of harm’s way. The young boy was a talented dancer, however, he would go on to become an All-Ireland Champion. Why shouldn’t he wear his kilt as a proud Irish dancer? To Anna, dancing was always more important.

Paddy McCoy retells with pleasure this story of his sister, Anna, Belfast’s glamorous cross-community dancing teacher who brought Irish dance all the way to Carnegie Hall long before Michael Flatley, Jean Butler and Riverdance.

Since the world’s Irish dancing community lost one of its finest figures earlier this month, tributes poured in for this innovative teacher who traveled all over the world, bringing creativity and passion for solo dancing and instigating a new period for Irish figure dancing. Anna died peacefully on March 14 in Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, aged 89, following a life dedicated to Irish dancing.

Born in 1925, Anna started dancing at a young age and was sent to Jim Johnson’s School of Dancing from the early 1930s. Technically Anna McMurray since her marriage to Albert, with whom she had two sons, Paddy tells IrishCentral that although Albert and she were life-long partners, it was with Anna McCoy’s Dancing School that she came to be known.

“When she was almost 18, she was leaving school just finished the senior cert and she was already doing a line with Al (Albert),” Paddy says. “He convinced her to do the new cert with the Irish Dancing Commission. She was the first to do the examination, just before her 18th birthday, and then she got the hall. For a long time she taught in that hall.”

Anna took center stage and Paddy recalls a funny incident, which Al himself recounted, when he overheard a young girl on seeing Albert pass by, pull her mother by the hand to see “the man who lives with Ms McCoy.”

It was a partnership, however, and in her later years, Paddy say that Anna still liked to speak of their achievements in the U.S. saying “Al had the idea (America), I did all the dancing.”

As Anna established herself as a teacher, she produced great solo dancers but particularly good figure (group) dancers. In 1949, author and lecturer Alan McCauley traveled to Belfast to create "Welcome to Ireland", an edition of his World Travel Log short films. Anna and her dancers were filmed in the Botanic Gardens in Belfast and Alan himself was entranced with the beauty and grace of the dancing.In 1948, the premiere took place in White Plains, New York. The enthusiasm engendered was followed by invitations, and in 1949, Anna and Al embarked on the SS America for a six week exploratory trip, travelling as `The Four Gaels` with the Derry Dance teacher Brendan de Glin and the soprano, Eileen McIntyre, also from Derry.

In the following decade, Anna and her dancers traveled to perform in many parts of the world. At her funeral last week, one of her former students told Paddy of the various places she had visited as one of Anna’s dancers saying, “I was a kid born in Edenmore and when I was four, Anna McCoy took me, taught me to dance and led me to a world I didn’t realise existed.”

As she traveled, Anna’s style and creativity was developing and so was the free interpretation within figure dancing. Anna explored integrating dance with short pageants and dramas, creating a 10-hand reel based around the Five Roads to Tara and even integrating the Book of Kells into her figure dances where dancers formed the rectangular shape of a book and danced as though they were turning the pages through the illustrations. The result was still very much Irish dancing but “a wee bit more imaginative” as Paddy says.

In 1955, in the wake of the success of Anna's figure dancing team at the All–Ireland championships, they were invited to the US, exclusively contracted to appear on "The Arthur Godfrey Show" on Wednesday March 16 and on one of the most famous stages of them all, Carnegie Hall, on St. Patrick`s Day. Arriving a few days before the feast day, they had some time to recuperate before rehearsals for the coast to coast Godfrey Show. The famous 1950s TV entertainer warmly embraced the team and the evening was a resounding success. Paddy himself, fortunate enough to be on this trip, recalls that the group The McGuire Sisters, of `Sincerely` fame were big at this time, also appearing on Godfrey's radio/television show every morning.

Once Anna’s dancers showed America what they were made of, the audience reaction was huge. Paddy remembers “a bank of phones along the side of the studio and they all went mad” as the Irish American community delighted in seeing their performance. The next morning, The Mcguire Sisters were asked to take a seat as Godfrey invited Anna’s dancers back for a second St. Patrick’s Day performance before they raced off to become the first Irish dance group to perform in Carnegie Hall.

The group were the first for many decades to travel to America and ran three consecutive visits though 1955, ‘56 and ‘57, as well as touring through Boston and other U.S. cities with large Irish populations. Paddy says, “over the years, we went everywhere.”

Anna’s group were just as successful in Ireland and the UK. On the BBC show “Come Dancing” (not the version with Bruce Forsyth) the group were invited to compete in an interregional dance competition as regions of the UK and Northern Ireland showcased their local dances. Pitted against other ethnic groups and local dances, Anna’s group once again came out on top.

Her passion for dancing kept Anna teaching right up until 1999, teaching grandchildren of her original students. She was also actively involved in the development of teaching standards being a founding member, and ultimately President, of The Congress of Irish Dance Teachers (An Comhdháil na Muinteoirí le Rincí Gaelacha).

In a tribute made to Anna on their website the Congress said: “As well as being an inspirational teacher, she also held examiner and founder member of An Comhdhail’s examination panel.

“Her legacy as a teacher is renowned worldwide, with the McCoy School of Irish Dancing attaining numerous Ulster and All-Ireland titles in both solo and figure dancing.

“Although Ms McCoy’s legacy lives on through the many past pupils she qualified as teachers and adjudicators, she will be sadly missed within An Comhdháil and the wider Irish dancing community.”

The picture Paddy paints of his sister as he talks to IrishCentral is one of a passionate, gregarious, lively and creative teacher who lived for Irish dancing. He laughs as he describes her as a loquacious, caring figure and remembers with fondness an encounter she reportedly had with another member of the Congress in La Guardia Airport. As enwrapped in their conversation and the good company as they were, they both missed their flight!

He reads a passage out of Frank Whelan's book, “The Complete Guide to Irish Dance” that describes her as an “Irish dance teacher with special pride and commitment” and states that “perhaps Anna McCoy arguably had the greatest group dance team” as that “apart from Riverdance no dance group received so much publicity for Irish dancing”.

Anna was also stylish to the last. Her brother tells how she would carefully choose a length from her mother's store of dress and coat materials and, influenced by the patterns from Woman's Own magazine, her mother`s expertise and experience would do the rest.. "Anna went out dressed to kill," Paddy says, "and people would say that she must be making a fortune in that school when really she was wearing a dress made for a modest sum."

The city of Belfast paid tribute to its famous dance teacher in 2010 as Anna was included in a commissioned piece of art for City Hall Belfast. In an attempt to provide a balance in a City Hall was a predominantly Unionist environment for so many years, they introduced an Irish element by commemorating five iconic figures in Northern Irish cultural heritage: Edward Bunting, musician and the figure that notated the music of the blind harpers at the 1792 Harp Festival; John McKay, a journalist with the Irish News and the Cork Examiner, and one of the seven founding members of the Gaelic Athletic Association; Alice Milligan, poet, playwright and member of the Gaelic League; Sean Maguire, fiddle player and teacher; and Anna, who was then the only living person to be commemorated.

Anna is survived by her two sons and several grandchildren.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam dílis.

*Originally published in March 2015

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2016-07-06T02:00:00-04:00http://www.irishcentral.com/culture/entertainment/22-years-ago-today-riverdance-changed-irish-dance-forever-videos22 years ago Riverdance changed Irish dance forever (VIDEOS)2016-07-05T06:51:43-04:00
Twenty-two years ago an Irish dance performance at the Eurovision Song Contest in Dublin changed the world of traditional Irish entertainment and sent chills up spines around the world. Something extraordinary had happened.

Since April 30 1994 Riverdance has played over 11,000 shows, been seen live by 25 million people in over 467 venues worldwide, in 46 countries over six continents. On TV three billion people globally have witnessed the amazing show.

It all began with the interval performance at the 39th Eurovision Song Contest. The piece began with the haunting vocals of the choral group Anúna followed by the arrival onstage of Jean Butler, emerging from a traditional Irish cloak to herald the beginning of a whole new style of Irish dance.

The Michael Flatley, who would become better known as “The Lord of the Dance,” burst on stage, unlike any Irish dancer ever before. Their style and the on stage battle between the dancers and drummers brought something new to the Irish dance floor.

Next Irish dancers flowed onstage in a perfectly synchronized troupe arriving with a determination and energy never seen before in Irish dance.

Produced by Moya Doherty, with music from Bill Whelan, and choreography by Michael Flatley and Jean Butler, the act seemed to eclipse the main event and lit a fire that would fuel the creation of the full stage show only nine months later – a fire that continues to burn to this day.

A night to remember…and the show goes on.

While Michael Flatley retired this year Riverdance continues to entertain 22 years later. In fact this very weekend in Scranton, Pennsylvania, the 20th anniversary tour of the show is being performed. It shows just what longevity and how influential the show has been that one of the lead female dancers in the who, Maggie Darlington, told The Scranton Times that she’s dreamed of the show since she was a toddler.

The 26-year-old also told the local newspaper that while the show has evolved over the past 22 years the essence stays the same.

“I think the dancing style has changed ... it’s the same steps, but we do it differently. It’s what happens when you do something for 20 years.

“At the core, it’s pretty much the same,” Darlington noted. “At the heart of it, I think the music drives that.”

Were you lucky enough to see the show? Tell us your story in the comments section below.

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2016-07-05T02:35:00-04:00http://www.irishcentral.com/culture/entertainment/irish-dancers-amazing-homage-to-lin-manuel-mirandas-hamilton-videoIrish dancer’s amazing homage to Lin-Manuel Miranda's “Hamilton” (VIDEO)2016-06-29T12:18:52-04:00
On the off-chance you’ve never heard of “Hamilton,” the Lin-Manuel Miranda-composed musical wowing audiences since its off-Broadway debut at The Public Theater, New York, in February 2015, the critically-acclaimed show has brought to life the amazing story of US Founding Father Alexander Hamilton through its catchy tunes and bagged itself 11 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, to boot.

One listen to the musical’s soundtrack and it will have you hooked, and for anybody else like me who may have to scrub up on certain areas of their US history, there’s no better way to get you started.

Such is the ever-growing passion spreading for Broadway’s latest big hit, fans have been taking it upon themselves to share their own variations and pay homage to “Hamilton” in some incredible ways.

Completely choreographed, directed, danced, and edited by herself, she even sports the fashion on the time and dances in a house designed to look like it would in the Hamilton-era.

You can hear the original version here:

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2016-06-29T12:07:00-04:00http://www.irishcentral.com/homepage/irish-dancing-is-hell-and-dancers-are-mini-dolly-partons-says-british-criticIrish dancing is “hell” and dancers are mini Dolly Partons says British critic2016-06-17T08:53:09-04:00
In comments that are bound to be controversial, a writer for the British Daily Telegraph newspaper has described the Irish Dance World Championships being held in London this week as “hell.”

She described outfits “so shiny they hurt the eyes” and “perma-tanned” dancers taking the floor one after another as anxious parents looked on.

She stated, "The air is thick with the smell of hairspray, perfume and chips" ...and “a piercing Irish jig is being played over and over again.”

She was in the Monarch Suite at the Hilton Metropole Hotel, in west London, where the world championships are being held.

5,000 dancers with 24,000 members of their families and friends are also present.

She describes the dancers “Smiling beneath identikit poodle-curl wigs, held in place by a salon’s worth of hairspray, their faces are made up in Oompa Loompa orange so that each looks unnervingly like a miniature Dolly Parton…complete with stick-on eyelashes and red lips. A hotel worker confides that they’ve had to provide special towels so their linen doesn’t get ruined by fake tan.”

She claimed that “on stage sabotage is not unknown, as some dancers aim kicks perilously close to their rival’s face.”

She states that many of the dance schools teach “performance psychology” to help students prepare for the mental demands of competing. “You don’t know who you’re dancing with before you go up there,” Meg Toland, 13, a junior competitor from South Australia explained to her. “Most of the girls are nice, but some of them… well, you’ve got to watch out.”

She describes a disgruntled guest as she is leaving. “As I head for the door some four hours after I arrived, that same jig is still playing. At the reception desk, a disgruntled guest, suitcase in hand, is battling his way through the throng of tiny dancers. “I came for a quiet city break,” he gasps, wide-eyed, looking longingly at the exit. “What in the world have I got myself into?”

* Originally published in April 2014.

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2016-06-17T02:10:00-04:00http://www.irishcentral.com/culture/entertainment/move-over-gene-kelly-heres-irish-dancing-in-the-rain-videosMove over Gene Kelly, here’s Irish dancing in the rain (VIDEOS)2016-06-17T03:11:08-04:00
Irish dancer is positively reveling in the rain. The 14-year-old from Nenagh, Co Tipperary, who’s one way to compete in Florida, showed that the Irish weather can’t dampen her spirits.

Siobhan Phelan has just won the Irish Nationals in Irish Dancing and is currently preparing to compete at the North American Irish Dance Championships 2016, Florida. No wonder she’s smiling!

We just love her “Irish Dancing in the Rain,” cheery grin and all, and we couldn’t help being reminded of the Irish American star Eugene Curran Kelly, aka Gene Kelly, in “Singing in the Rain.”

Phelan is certainly a young dancer to watch. According to Finest.ie she has a long list of achievements behind her already, including Irish & British titles, European Championships and World Championships.

Right now she’s training four hours a day to compete at the NANS against over 300 competitors. The amazing 14-year-old has also donated all the money she has earned through her dancing to charities of her choice.

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2016-06-15T07:55:00-04:00http://www.irishcentral.com/news/time-to-focus-on-irish-dancingWhy Irish dancing has lost its way and needs to change2016-06-15T09:54:38-04:00
Irish dancers dear.

What does an average American family live on after they buy the latest dress for their Irish dancing daughter? Baked beans?

That's the first question that non-Irish dancing people (call us Muggles) ask ourselves after visiting the endless websites that specialize in the buying and selling of these eye-popping pieces.

A quick glance around the internet shows that it's not unusual for just one of these frilly, flouncy horrors to sell for north of $1000.00 a pop. And prices can actually go up from there.

To paraphrase Dolly Parton, you'd be surprised how much it costs to look this tacky. And make no mistake, these costumes look increasingly tacky. With their I-need-to-be-seen-from-space patterns and colors, they don't so much catch your eye as assault it.

Who can afford to stock a wardrobe with these purse-pillaging things? How many young girls are being told by their astonished parents that they can't attend Irish dancing schools (which are by the way, a further expense) because the prices of these gaudy costumes are far too prohibitive for so many?

It's the costumes themselves that are the first symptom of the deeper malaise that has completely overtaken Irish Dancing, frankly. Ireland is known for many things but we're not known for our colorful parrots.

So how and why this show stopping razzle-dazzle took over the whole Irish dancing world would make an interesting study for a sociologist. But it isn't making Irish Dancing itself more accessible, on the contrary.

To us Muggles, the Harry Potter alternative universe of Irish dancing looks increasingly like a weird hybrid of child beauty pageants and intensely competitive combat sports like kick boxing. Beneath the flashy, friendly exterior lurks a hyper-competitive subculture that will increasingly stop at nothing to gain an edge and a winning result.

That crazed focus on winning certainly speaks to the wider world, where the anxiety over winning and losing has grown as the middle class economy shrinks. But do we really want to project that kind of anxiety onto impressionable young girls (and it is predominantly young girls who have targeted by this Stepford-like conformity) just as they're beginning to come to terms with the adult word?

Boys have mostly escaped this transformational costume craze because, largely, we seem to trust boys to make their own way in the world. Girls are a different story. Girls need our help apparently. They need costumes and giant wigs and spray tans and extensive wardrobes. We need to hide them beneath multiple layers of pan stick and polyester if they're to stand a chance on the stage on their own. It's 2014 and this is the message we're sending around the world?

It isn't just the dresses though, is it? As IrishCentral has been documenting for days, there's an ever-growing culture of bling that has arrived to separate already strapped parents from their hard earned cash in increasingly over the top ways.

Most people hate the wigs before anything else. Imagine if Shirley Temple had her DNA spliced with a Shetland sheep and you'll only start to approach this spaced-out tumble of ovine ringlets. There are drag queens who would think these wigs are over-the-top. The fright wigs were an early harbinger of the horrors to come.

How did otherwise stable parents look at these things and decide they were the best option to give their daughters a competitive edge?

No sooner are they bought but we are told these wigs will need their own colorful traveling cases, which is more expense. Festivals require hotel rooms and travel arrangements, which is even more expense. It's not surprising there's an underground network selling previously owned Irish dance dresses. Families have to eat, after all.

But where, we should ask, is Ireland in all of this? Does it matter? Shouldn't it matter? Has anyone thought to ask?

Donegal is an Irish county that's internationally famous for its craftsmanship in tweed making, linen and knitwear. For centuries the patterns produced there have been so subtle and so well made that nowadays they're revered as far away as Tokyo. Real Irish design tradition, in other words, has nothing to do with these flamboyant, flashy Irish dancing fakes.

No one can doubt the passion and commitment of the young Irish dancers themselves. That's never been in question, nor should it be. But perhaps, for the continued health of the dance and for the young people who live for it, it's time to focus on Irish dancing as an art rather than a sport.

What does an average American family live on after they buy the latest dress for their Irish dancing daughter? Baked beans?

That's the first question that non-Irish dancing people (call us Muggles) ask ourselves after visiting the endless websites that specialize in the buying and selling of these eye-popping pieces. A quick glance around the internet shows that it's not unusual for just one of these frilly, flouncy horrors to sell for north of $1,000.00 a pop. And prices can actually go up from there.

To paraphrase Dolly Parton, you'd be surprised how much it costs to look this tacky. And make no mistake, these costumes look increasingly tacky. With their I-need-to-be-seen-from-space patterns and colors, they don't so much catch your eye as assault it.

Who can afford to stock a wardrobe with these purse-pillaging things? How many young girls are being told by their astonished parents that they can't attend Irish dancing schools (which are by the way, a further expense) because the prices of these gaudy costumes are far too prohibitive for so many? It's the costumes themselves that are the first symptom of the deeper malaise that has completely overtaken Irish dancing, frankly. Ireland is known for many things, but we're not known for our colorful parrots.

So how and why this show-stopping razzle-dazzle took over the whole Irish dancing world would make an interesting study for a sociologist. But it isn't making Irish dancing itself more accessible, on the contrary.

To us Muggles, the Harry Potter alternative universe of Irish dancing looks increasingly like a weird hybrid of child beauty pageants and intensely competitive combat sports like kick boxing. Beneath the flashy, friendly exterior lurks a hyper-competitive subculture that will increasingly stop at nothing to gain an edge and a winning result. That crazed focus on winning certainly speaks to the wider world, where the anxiety over winning and losing has grown as the middle class economy shrinks. But do we really want to project that kind of anxiety onto impressionable young girls (and it is predominantly young girls who are targeted by this Stepford-like conformity) just as they're beginning to come to terms with the adult word?

Boys have mostly escaped this transformational costume craze because, largely, we seem to trust boys to make their own way in the world. Girls are a different story. Girls need our help apparently. They need costumes and giant wigs and spray tans and extensive wardrobes. We need to hide them beneath multiple layers of pan stick and polyester if they're to stand a chance on the stage on their own. It's 2014 and this is the message we're sending around the world?

It isn't just the dresses though, is it? As IrishCentral has been documenting for days, there's an ever-growing culture of bling that has arrived to separate already strapped parents from their hard-earned cash in increasingly over the top ways.

Most people hate the wigs before anything else. Imagine if Shirley Temple had her DNA spliced with a Shetland sheep and you'll only start to approach this spaced-out tumble of ovine ringlets. There are drag queens who would think these wigs are over-the-top. The fright wigs were an early harbinger of the horrors to come.

How did otherwise stable parents look at these things and decide they were the best option to give their daughters a competitive edge?

No sooner are they bought but we are told these wigs will need their own colorful traveling cases, which is more expense. Festivals require hotel rooms and travel arrangements, which is even more expense. It's not surprising there's an underground network selling previously owned Irish dance dresses. Families have to eat, after all.

But where, we should ask, is Ireland in all of this? Does it matter? Shouldn't it matter? Has anyone thought to ask?

Donegal is an Irish county that's internationally famous for its craftsmanship in tweed making, linen and knitwear. For centuries the patterns produced there have been so subtle and so well made that nowadays they're revered as far away as Tokyo. Real Irish design tradition, in other words, has nothing to do with these flamboyant, flashy Irish dancing fakes.

No one can doubt the passion and commitment of the young Irish Dancers themselves. That's never been in question, nor should it be. But perhaps, for the continued health of the dance and for the young people who live for it, it's time to focus on Irish dancing as an art rather than a sport.

* Originally published in 2014.

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2016-06-15T02:11:00-04:00http://www.irishcentral.com/culture/entertainment/amazing-1920s-and-30s-irish-dance-footage-from-the-pathe-archives-videosAmazing 1920s and ‘30s Irish dance footage from the Pathe archives (VIDEOS)2016-06-15T02:49:08-04:00
Irish dance has evolved remarkably in the past century, but the extent to which dance competitions have become bigger and bigger with the passing of time is no more evident than in these incredible old videos released by British Pathé.

In a video entitled "Irish Dance. A feature of a most successful aeridheacht at the Depot," we are able to take a look back at a feis in 1930. In the clip we see an adjudicator sitting right in front of the competitor as she dances, while a fiddle player, sitting just to his left, provides the tunes.

This is far more intimate setting than many of today’s competitions. The short film shows a range of dancers meeting with the judge before coming to a girl who must as been crowned champion, given the remarkable number of medals hanging from her dress.

Although these videos are mostly black and white, it’s easy to see the dresses sported by these girls aren’t quite as vibrant, glitzy or as glamorous as today's dresses. The dresses worn by the dancers in this clip reflect the normal style of dress at the time.

This next clip is from 1932. We’re again on a stage with judges keeping a watchful eye on the footwork of the competitors, watched and cheered by large crowds.

No matter the changes, the talent remains exactly the same, as can be seen by these All-Ireland performances by some of 1926’s best young dancers.

With almost half a million subscribers and over 100 million total views, British Pathé is a treasure trove of 85,000 films, now considered to be the finest newsreel archive in the world.

Pathé news clips were shown in cinemas before the main movie. They were at the forefront of the development of video journalism and covered everything from wars and political crises to unusual hobbies and the lives of ordinary people.

Each month Pathé promotes a particular topic within their archive footage. This past April was dedicated to Ireland, St. Patrick's Day, and people with Irish roots.

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2016-06-15T02:00:00-04:00http://www.irishcentral.com/culture/entertainment/irish-dancing-a-big-hit-among-middle-aged-chinese-videoIrish dancing a big hit among middle-aged Chinese (VIDEO)2016-06-11T04:05:40-04:00
Although their fellow competitors may be a few decades younger, the spirit of China’s latest up and coming dancing troupe keep them quick on their feet.

The Rainbow Troupe is made up of eight middle-aged Beijing residents who lined up for their first Irish dance competition this month in the Chinese capital Hong Kong.

Possessing a shared love for the worldwide phenomenon Riverdance, the group joined together to try out the steps for themselves by watching videos of the show, and hoping to learn for themselves this beloved art form. Although it may take them a much longer time to master the steps, their enthusiasm for the sport keeps them going and keeps them fit, despite their otherwise hectic work schedules.

Taking part in the 5th International Feis and Championships, hosted by the Hong Kong-based Echoes of Erin School of Irish Dance, the Rainbow Troupe now hopes to make its ways to Europe and continue competing on larger and larger stages.

“I am in pretty good shape for a 50-year-old because there are endless health benefits to Irish dance,” said Wang Weidong, who has a busy lifestyle advising clients who wanting to invest in global stock markets.

“It trains my stamina, improves my muscle strength and even my brains,” he continued, stating that he plans to use Irish dance to keep active into his 80s.

It has become more than just a casual hobby for some, however, with group member He Yingxian, a woman in her 60s, successfully competing as an individual and winning two bronze and a silver medal at her first feis.

Already suffering from an injury that put her out of action for six months, He Yingxian, like Wang, plans to keep going as long as her body will allow.

“I don’t know how much longer can I dance, but I will dance till I can’t,” she admitted.

With their sights set on Europe, the group are also now on the lookout for a new teacher with their current instructor set to leave the country later this year. Up until a year ago, the group learnt steps simply from watching Riverdance before meeting Polish Irish dancer Dominika Cedro.

With Cedro currently finishing up her Master’s degree, she will leave China next month but the colorful group hope to find a replacement soon.

Although also admitting that it may take longer for this particular batch of students to pick up the steps, Cedro praises that the enthusiasm and enjoyment the Rainbow group reap from Irish dance.

“They can convey the happiness of dancing, which is something you cannot teach,” she said.

“I hope they (the troupe) will continue because I think they have too much love and passion for dancing to just stop.”

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2016-06-09T12:00:00-04:00http://www.irishcentral.com/news/16-year-old-defends-irish-dance-against-shallow-accusations16-year-old defends Irish dance against shallow accusations2016-06-08T10:27:49-04:00In the letter below 16-year-old dancer from Connecticut writes in response to Cahir O’Doherty’s opinion piece “Why Irish dancing has lost its way and needs to change.”

Dear Mr O’Doherty,

I came across your article “Why Irish dancing has lost its way and needs to change,” and I was disgusted with the hyperbolic accusations with which you attacked the world of Irish dance. I am a 16-year-old Irish dancer from Connecticut. I have been dancing for six years, and there is nothing else that I love more. Reading your article, I was enraged and offended by your remarks.

First, you state that the dresses are overly expensive. Well, I’ve got news for you – a lot of clothing is expensive. These dresses are so pricy because they are manufactured by individual seamstresses and designers who spend hours upon hours to make a $1,000 dress perfect.

How can you criticize this, but not designer bags manufactured by in a foreign country, made out of a slaughtered animal’s skin, and go around for $3,000 dollars a tote?

In addition, Irish dancers are not the only ones who spend outrageous amounts of money on costumes – actors, ballerinas, and other types of dancers can spend up to $500 per year, per costume. Also, you emphasize how tacky the costumes are. See, Mr. O’Doherty, the key word here is costume.

Costumes are made to be worn on a stage in a performance. How are brightly colored Irish dancing dresses tacky, yet bright, sparkly, costumes worn by other types of dancers and performers are not? Yes, they were not always brightly colored and dripping in crystals, but you don’t need to be a sociologist to figure out that just like everything else in this world, Irish dance has evolved and changed with time.

Tradition is defined as: the transmission of customs or beliefs from generation to generation, or the fact of being passed on in this way. Nowhere in the dictionary does it say these customs and beliefs are not subject to minor changes and natural evolution.

Colorful, bright Irish dancing dresses have been around for a long time, and they are our tradition, despite your coining them as “flashy Irish dancing fakes.” Because, Mr O’Doherty, the answer to your question “Where is Ireland in this?” is quite clear.

Ireland is in the dances we perform with pride, in the music that brings us joy, in the friendships we make through dancing, and in Irish dance itself, passed down from around the 16th century. No matter what we look like (which we also happen to be quite proud of), that tradition will always be firmly rooted in our hearts.

Second, you accuse Irish dance of looking like a “weird hybrid” of pageantry and kickboxing. Yes, Irish dance does look strange at one’s first glance. However, most can look past that artificial surface and see a beautiful performance. It’s a shame that you don’t have this ability. You also accuse it of having a “flashy, friendly exterior.” That friendliness that you say is on the so called “exterior” happens to extend to the very core of Irish dance itself.

The girls I have met through competition are some of the nicest people I have ever met. And yes, we are competitors on stage, but as soon as we walk off that stage, we are the best of friends. There is a bond of camaraderie among almost all Irish dancers that is impossible to put into words. The girls at my dance school are my family. Through Irish dancing, I have discovered a bond stronger and closer than that of a family. It doesn’t matter how old you are, where you live, where you come from, or what the color of your skin is. People not only accept you for who you are and what you can do, but they also respect that.

Mr O’Doherty, can you think of anything else where you can find that kind of acceptance? We are really competing with ourselves – trying to become the best versions of ourselves we can be.

Lastly, you say the “hyper-competitive” world of Irish dance projects anxiety onto young girls finding their way in the adult world. Are you meaning to say that young girls who Irish dance aren’t already subject to the crazed, competitive world out there? The Irish dance world and the “Muggle” world of reality are one and the same – if anything, it helps them to come to terms with the adult world, and cope with already existing anxiety.

The college application process for high schoolers is so competitive that it pushes many teens to their breaking points. One of the leading causes of suicide in teens is stress or depression, caused by anxiety that they feel like they will never be good enough. Pressure on young girls to have the right clothes, phone, boyfriend, group of friends, a big house, you name it - is enormous.

Mr O’Doherty, there is just no way that these young dancers were first introduced to anxiety through dance. In a world where these young adults are yelled at by adults and society on a daily basis that they will never be more than an average businessman or woman later on in life, and where they are discouraged from following their dreams, isn’t it good for them to have something to strive for? Isn’t it valuable for them to experience the feeling when their hard work pays off? Isn’t it a character-building experience to have a goal, achieve it, and achieve personal growth along the way?

I can’t even begin to imagine my life without dance. It is about so much more than curly wigs and sparkly dresses, and has taught me that yes, life is competitive, but I have a shot of attaining success.

You are right when you say Irish dance is an art. However, the athleticism, mental focus, and dedication it takes to make that art look easy takes the physique, training regimen, and diet of an Olympian. It takes an incredible amount of focus, and a huge amount of dedication and passion. And for you to undermine and disrespect that is not only offensive and discriminatory to the Irish dancing community, but misleading to the people who are not a part of what you call our “alternate universe,” with whom we so desperately want to share our sport and our love for it.

Sincerely,Danielle Veith.

* Originally published in 2014.

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2016-06-08T02:28:00-04:00http://www.irishcentral.com/culture/entertainment/irish-dancing-flash-mob-wows-crowdsIrish dancing flash mob wows in British airport (VIDEO)2016-05-27T22:06:58-04:00
A flash mob of almost 40 Irish dancers surprised a crowd in a British shopping mall with a fantastic routine. The flash mob was released in 2012 to support the launch of a new regional Aer Lingus service between London Southend and Dublin.

The talented crew of young dancers came from the McGahan Lees Dance Academy, a popular Irish dancing school in Essex, England. The video has been watched over half a million times – an astonishing number for a small flash mob.